Kirby: King of Comics

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Kirby: King of Comics
ISBN
978-0-8109-9447-8

Kirby: King of Comics is a 2008

Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book and met with mixed reception from critics. It was published by the art book publisher Abrams Books
, it is extensively illustrated with Kirby's artwork, including original art comic pages with production notes in blue ink and was re-released in 2017.

Summary

"Kirby: King of Comics" tells the story of Jack Kirby life and creative process. The book contains original artwork made by Kirby.[1][2] The book features an introduction written by English writer Neil Gaiman.[3][4]

Release

Kirby: King of Comics was published in 2008 by Abrams Books.[2] After the book's release Mark Evanier attended various fan conventions to promote it.[5] He also attended the event "Live at Kirby Plaza" in London at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in order to promote the book.[1] At the Jack Kirby panel at the 2008 WonderCon, Evanier teased that a sequel was in development and that it would be a "proper biography".[5] In August 2017, Evanier confirmed that he was still working on the biography.[6]

In 2017 to celebrate Jack Kirby's 100th birthday,[a] Abrams Books issued a reprint of the book with new content added.[6]

Development

Black and white image of a man with a pencil in his right hand against his face and his left hand on placed on a surface.
Jack Kirby, the subject of the biography

Mark Evanier had been known to be working on the book for a while prior to its release. In 2004, He had written about 250,000 words. Upon its completion he described the book as "the first and only book on Jack 'the King' Kirby".[2] Evanier worked for Kirby, giving him lots of insight while writings the book.[1][3]

Reception

Kirby: King of Comics was met with mixed reviews from critics.[7][2] Writing for The Austin Chronicle, Rick Claw praised the book on how it was able to tell Kirby's story in a both heartfelt and entertaining way. He noted how the art in the book was well integrated with the text.[8] Writing for The Guardian, Micheal Faber was far more negative on the book. Faber felt that the book felt "empty" and "disjointed". He criticized the formatting and overall tone of the book.[2]

In 2009, the book won multiple awards,[9][10] an Eisner Award for "Best Comics-Related Book".[11][12] The book won two Harvey Awards one for "Best Biographical, Historical, or Journalistic Presentation" along with a special award for "Excellence in Presentation".[13][10]

Notes

  1. ^ Kirby died in 1994.

References

  1. ^ a b c Hunt, James (April 17, 2008). "Live at Kirby Plaza". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  2. ^
    ISSN 0261-3077. Archived
    from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Bianculli, David (May 21, 2008). "Biography Details the 'King of Comics'". NPR. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Evanie, Mark (August 1, 2017). "Kirby: King of Comics (Anniversary Edition)". Barnes & Noble. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  5. ^ a b C. B. R. Staff (February 23, 2008). "WonderCon: Kirby – King of Comics". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Dueben, Alex (August 28, 2017). "INTERVIEW: Mark Evanier Celebrates Legacy of Kirby: King of Comics". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Gravett, Paul (June 12, 2008). "Kirby: king of comics, by Mark Evanier; Superheroes!, by Roz Kaveney". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Klaw, Rick (April 4, 2008). "Book Review: Readings". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  9. San Diego Comic-Con International. Archived from the original
    on July 25, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  10. ^
    ComicBook.com. Archived
    from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Melrose, Kevin (October 11, 2009). "Winners of the 2009 Harvey Awards". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  12. ^ Staff, C. B. R. (April 7, 2009). "2009 Eisner Award Nominees Announced". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  13. ^ "Previous Winners". Harvey Awards. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
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